The event organizer, the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, unveiled the bizarre creation on March 22. It was chosen out of 1,898 mascot designs submitted in a public competition. The winning design was created by a Tokyo-based group of designers called "mountain mountain," led by graphic designer Kohei Yamashita. A screening committee's 11 members including graphic designers chose it from the final three candidates. The official mascot has a blue body that carries the expo's bright red logo on its head. Its blue body represents water and the ability to change shapes. The logo is comprised of red cells, embodying the "brilliance of life." The group of designers said the theme of the mascot is the "potential for diversity and change."
While not going into detail out of diplomatic consideration, Jimi said the domestic fiscal situation in the two nations was behind their decision. Mexico had initially planned to build a Type A pavilion in which the nation covers the construction cost. Jimi did not divulge what type of pavilion Estonia had been contemplating. Jimi also said nine nations, including Denmark and Finland, and one international organization had newly expressed their intention to take part in the world expo scheduled to open in April 2025. The two-day international conference here that opened on Nov. 14 was intended to provide representatives with information about the expo, such as what procedures had to be completed for the pavilions as well as the state of venue construction.
A Russian representative told a plenary session of the Bureau of International Expositions in Paris that Moscow has decided to refrain from participating in the World Expo in Osaka "amid the lack of efficient communication with the host." The official did not elaborate further. [...] "We would not assume Russia's participation in the Osaka-Kansai Expo if there will be no change in the current situation" surrounding the country's invasion of Ukraine, Hanako Jimi, the minister in charge of the expo, told reporters Friday. The ongoing invasion conflicts with the event's theme of "Designing Future Society for Our Lives," she said.
Around 1,000 guides are expected to greet visitors during the Expo, which will run from 13 April to 13 October next year on Yumeshima, an artificial island in Osaka Bay. Their primary responsibilities will be giving directions around the venue and responding to cases such as dealing with a lost child. The hourly wage of 1,850 yen ($12) has proved attractive, with the job application ratio at more than 28 to one. Kanako Ura is among those who have been accepted. She said she applied for the job after learning about her family's past involvement in the Expo. Her grandfather and mother staged a demonstration of iaido -- a Japanese martial art-- at the 1970 Osaka Expo. The Osaka resident acknowledged the difficulty of using different bowing gestures depending on the situation but said she hopes to get by. "I want to connect with visitors," she said.
The samurai armours were donated during the visit of a Japanese delegation that included Yukichi Fukuzawa - a Samurai, educator, philosopher, and later a prominent figure in Japan's modernisation who founded the prestigious Keio University in Tokyo and whose portrait until recently featured on the Japanese 10,000 yen banknote. The delegation formed part of the Bunkyu Mission, which aimed to renegotiate unequal treaties and engaged in high-level diplomatic meetings across Europe. One of the pieces remained on display at the Grand Master's Palace Armoury until the onset of World War II, when it was moved to underground storage to protect it from bombings.
A post on this topic has already got 78 comments on the British Expats in Japan page on Facebook. Many people think that the afternoon tea reflects the British ethos of overpriced goods with poor service.British tea debacle at Osaka Expo averted:
Britain’s $45 afternoon tea set served with paper cups at Osaka Expo seen to be in bad taste
A post deploring the quality of the tea set – including “a tea bag stuck in a paper cup” – went viral on X. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.www.straitstimes.com
British pavilion at expo improves afternoon tea set after online stir
The British pavilion at the World Exposition in Osaka has improved the quality of its 5,000 yen ($35) afternoon tea set, with the drinks now served in ceramics instead of paper cups, following online criticism.english.kyodonews.net
So it's an authentic experience!A post on this topic has already got 78 comments on the British Expats in Japan page on Facebook. Many people think that the afternoon tea reflects the British ethos of overpriced goods with poor service.
At least it wasn't a family heirloom or anything. I agree with Thomas though, I would have kept it if I was into collecting such things as this person is.I would have kept the historical ticket.
A man holding a ticket to the 1940 "international exposition" — initially planned for Tokyo but cancelled indefinitely due to the intensifying Second Sino-Japanese War — was granted entry to Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, on 5 May, exchanging the decades-old ticket for a one-day adult pass.
View attachment 127118
Photo credit: Mainichi
The cancelled 1940 event was officially named the "2600 Japan International Exposition," reflecting the imperial calendar beginning in 660 B.C. Historians and enthusiasts refer to it as the "phantom expo. " Some unused tickets, never refunded amid wartime confusion, have since been honoured at later expositions, including the 1970 Expo in Osaka.
The ticket holder, 25-year-old Fumiya Takenawa from Tokyo's Suginami Ward, was visiting his parents in Osaka Prefecture. An avid fan of the 1970 Expo's iconic "Tower of the Sun," he collects memorabilia from past world fairs. In March, he purchased the 1940 ticket online and initially displayed it at home, but curiosity led him to inquire with the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition. After confirming the ticket's authenticity and eligibility, the association agreed to accept it.
Man gets admission to Osaka Expo with ticket for 1940 event that never took place - The Mainichi
OSAKA -- A man with an admission ticket to themainichi.jp
Or spend hundreds of dollars for a storage unit to keep your treasures. If you stop paying eventually your stuff may be auctioned off in an episode of Storage Wars.Yea we helped my father downsize. Really most of us do not want my father's old stuff. A sister of mine had lots of room in her basement so she put a lot in there to make him feel better then when he passes she plans to throw it out as most has little value. The same would apply to my stuff, I believe my kids would mostly throw it out. Many of us keep collectibles and things (including me!) and many just sit in a box as mdchachi said, just so you have it and the items connection to good memories. I've been thinking about that as I slowly prepare for what is planned to be a permanent move abroad, I need to sell or otherwise get rid of most of our stuff as that approaches. If I had stayed and kept all that stuff someone would have to dispose of it later when I passed.
The L'Arc-en-Ciel singer was appointed as tourism ambassador in recognition of his contributions to the music industry over the years, and last June, he filmed a music video in the capital of Vienna. He has been actively promoting the country through his social media accounts and other means.
Many pavilions offer scheduled photo opportunities with their mascots, who shake hands and give hugs to fans. The characters are working hard to appeal to visitors in Japan, where the culture of "yuru-chara" or laid-back characters, has taken root. At the centre of a crowd in front of the Germany Pavilion was Circular, a round-shaped mascot. Its soft and bouncy texture makes it especially endearing. The theme of the Germany Pavilion is the circular economy, and the mascot was inspired by Japan's "kawaii culture." A woman visiting from Osaka said, "I'm happy they understand Japanese culture."